Head of Smethwick community organisation honoured

Parpinder (Poppy) Dhatt, CEO of SAFS, a care support organisation based in Smethwick has won the national Asian Women of Achievement Public Service Award for 2019.

Poppy received the award at a ceremony in London, celebrating the achievements of Asian Women across professions and in communities.

She has been recognised for her work developing SAFS as a groundbreaking third sector organisation providing support services to Asian families with disabilities and overcoming language and cultural barriers.

Poppy said: “I’m very proud to accept the AWA Public Service award to celebrate the work of SAFS. This award endorses the invaluable support provided by the SAFS team to improve the lives of the families we support.”

Poppy joined SAFS in 1990, managing a team of seven, which has now grown to sixty employees. She began her career at Citizens Advice Bureaux, moving onto Community Development work.

Poppy is a past Chair of the Sandwell Council for Voluntary Organisations and is a trustee of two charities for young carers and families caring for children with disabilities.

Gurinder Singh Josan CBE, member of West Midlands Strategic Police & Crime Board said: “This award celebrates Poppy’s passion for helping people and her dedication to delivering services supporting families with children and adults with disabilities. Poppy’s work with SAFS has made a real difference to our communities and some of our most vulnerable families. This award is thoroughly deserved.”

Poppy has managed SAFS through a turbulent period of funding cuts and overseen the move to the Windmill Community Centre in Smethwick. Future developments for SAFS include developing joint services with the £300m Metropolitan Hospital, under construction a quarter of a mile away.